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Bhaktapur भक्तपुर (ख्वप)

Place of devotees. Also known as Bhadgaon or Khwapa (Newar: ख्वप Khwapa), Bhaktapur: A Living Museum
Khwopa was the largest of the three Newa kingdoms of the Kathmandu Valley and was the capital of Nepal during the great 'Malla Kingdom' until the second half of the 15th century.
Bhaktapur’s historical roots lie in its position on the early trade route to Tibet, though the credit for the formal founding of the city goes to King Ananda Malla in the 12th century. The oldest part of the town is around Tachupal Tole, to the east.

From the 14th to the 16th century, as Bhaktapur became the most powerful of the valley’s three Malla kingdoms, the focus of the town shifted west to the Durbar Sq area. Much of the town’s great architecture dates from the rule of King Yaksha Malla (1428-82), who built the Pashupatinath and Dattatreya temples, but also from the end of the 17th century, during King Bhupatindra Malla’s reign. At its peak the city boasted 172 temples and monasteries, 77 water tanks, 172 pilgrim shelters and 152 wells.

The 15th-century royal palace in Durbar Sq remained the seat of power until the city’s defeat by Prithvi Narayan Shah in 1768 relegated the former capital to a market town. The 1934 earthquake caused major damage to the city.

Festivals

The most festivals that are celebrated in Kathmandu are also in Bhaktapur. The festivals that are special at Bhaktapur or are only celebrated here are: Nawa Barsha. Experience these great traditional festivals in Nepal and have the time of your life with locals in Nepal.

Bhaktapur Tourism Development Committee

Madhyapur Thimi Municipality

Bhaktapur Municipality

Suryabinayak Municipality

Products of Bhaktapur

Bhaktapur is rich in its traditional culture and skills. The generations of master craftsmen have been carrying on their time –honored traditions of arts &crafts. There are plenty of shops and stalls catering to visitors in Bhaktapur. Some of the major products from the crafts people of Bhaktapur are as follows.